Gripping, crushing, or cutting tool



Aug. 11, 1936. A. J. MUTER ET AL.

GRIPPING, CRUSHNG, OR CUTTINGVTOOL Filed Nov. 1, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheetl l Illllllllll1| a I 5y Aug. 11, 1936. A. J. MUTR ET AL 2,050,449

GRIPPINQ, cRUsHING, oR CUTTING TOOL Filed Nov. Y1,1933 s vshee'S-srwef 2.

Aug. 11, 1936. rA. J. MUTER ET AL 2,050,449

GRIPPING, CRUSHING, OR`CUTTING TOOL l Filed Nov. l, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES GEEPPING, CRUSHING, OR CUTTING TOOL Arthur `lohn Muter, Wood Green, London, and Charles Tydeman, London, England, assignors of one-third to George Alexander Williamson,

London, England Application November 1, 1933, Serial No. 696,276 In Great Britain November 5, 1932 12 claims. (c1. 12s- 306) The present invention relates to gripping, cutting or crushing hand tools and has for its chief object to provide an improved hand tool of this kind which is of simple constructional form and 5` :is efficient in use.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide an improved hand tool by means of which bloodless castration i. e. 'b1ood,

less crushing or severing of the spermatic cord lV without causing an open wound in the scrotum may be effected in an eiicient manner.

With the above objects in View the present invention consists in a gripping, cutting or crushing hand tool comprising in combination a pair l of jaws mounted between side plates and at least one, and preferably each oi which, is adapted to be caused to slide bodily towards and away from the other by operation of a handle, pivoted about an axis constrained by the side plates to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool, through an element rotatably carried by the side plates and which is operatively engaged with a respective jaw and also pivotally connected with the handle at a distance from the pivotal Vaxis thereof.

More specifically stated the present invention consists in a gripping, crushing or cutting hand tool comprising in combination a pair of jaws mounted for parallel sliding movement towards 30,1and away from one another between side plates and adapted to be operated by a pair of handles pivotally connected to a common axis constrained by the side plates to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool through elements rotatably carried by the side plates and each of which is operatively engaged with a respective jaw and also pivotally connected with a respective handle at a distance from the pivotal axis thereof. In a castrating tool according to the present invention the cooperating jaw edges are preferably arranged parallel to one another and are of a rounded or blunt form so that the Vdesiredresult is obtained solelyby a pressing or crushing action. Means are also preferably vprovided which, after initial adjustment, maintain the spermatic cord in the region of action of the jawsy during the castrating operation and such means desirably also automatically release the cord to permit the tool to be withdrawn readily upon completion of the operation.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried into effect reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention by way' et: exam ,ple and in whichz- Fig. l is a partial elevation view of a castrating tool according to the present invention with the parts in the positions which they occupy just prior to the Commencement of the castrating operation; 5

Fig. 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. l with the parts in the positions they occupy at the completion of the castrating operation;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the tool as shown in Fig. 2; l0 Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the tool as shown in Fig. 2 with one of the side plates and the spermatic cord holding and retaining means removed;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the jaws open; 15

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 4 of a modiied form of tool;

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a modified form of operative engagement between the rotatable element and the jaw; 20

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a further modied form of operative engagement between the rotatable element and the jaw; and

Figs. l1 and l2 illustrate in front and side elevation respectively one means by which wear mai7 25 be taken up in a tool as illustrated in Figs. 1-5. Referring rst to Figs. 1 5 the castrating tool shown comprises a pair of jaws I adapted for sliding movement towards and away from one another between side plates 4. For this purpose 30 each jaw may be provided near its base with laterally projecting tongues 2 which slidably engage in grooves or slots 3 in the side plates d. Alternatively the jaws may be grooved or slotted to accommodate inward projections in the side 35 plates. The side plates ll are rmly connected together by screws or rivets 4a. Owing to the slidable engagement of the jaws l with the side plates 4, the jaws I may be readily detached by suitably proportioning the tool so as to permit 40 rotatable elements 5 hereinafter described to be moved out of engagement therewith. Normally however means are provided to prevent sliding movement of the jaws to this extent,

Mounted between the side plates 4 are elements 5 which are rotatable upon pivots 5 carried by the plates 4 and each element is operatively engaged but not positively connected withv aV respective one of the jaws i at o-ne end and is RO..

pivotally connected as at 1 at its other end to a handle 8. The handles 8 are themselves mounted for pivotal movement about a common pin 9-distant from the pivotal connections '5- the ends of which are guided for movementV in 55 the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool in slots I0 in the side plates 4.

As shown in Figs. 1-5 the base of each jaw is specially formed for cooperation with a corresponding formation on the associated element 5 so that as the element 5 is rocked to and fro around its pivot the jaw will slide backwards and forwards between the side plates 4.

With the construction described the pivotal connections I are free to move laterally of the tool as viewed in Figs. 1, 2,` 3 and 5 and the pin 9 is constrained to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool by the slots I0 whilst the pivots 6 are stationary. Preferably the parts of the tool are so designed that when the edges of the jaws are just touching, the axis of the pin 9 is just below a line joining the axes of the pivotal connections 'I as this ensures that further upward movement of the pin 9 results in considerable pressure being exerted at the jaws.

For the purpose of initially positioning and maintaining the spermatic cord in the region of action of the jaws during the castrating operation a pair of arms or elements II arey pivotally mounted at I2 on one of the side plates 4 and each arm or element II has a portion I3, on one side of the pivot, which extends adjacent one of the jaws and a portion I4, on the other side of the pivot, extending adjacent the jaw operating means. The portions I3 of the arms or elements II are shaped or formedfor example by being curved at the outer end as shownin such wise as to provide in one position of adjustment-as shown in Fig. l-an enclosure I5 within which the spermatic cord is conned. The portions I4 of the arms or elements lI are adapted for cooperation with a cam device I5 carried by the movable pin 9 and which is shaped so that when adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 1 by manipulation of the lever I'I attached to it and the end of which is guided in a slot I8 in one of the side plates 4, it will press the portions I4 of the arms II apart against the action of springs I9 acting on the other side of the' pivot I2 and maintain the enclosure I 5 closed. As the pin 9 moves in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool due to operation of the handles 8 for the purpose of closing of the jaws I the cam device I6 will be carried by it and the sides of the portions I4 of the arms or elements I I are so shaped that during the greater part of this movement the enclosure I5 is main tained closed, it being understood that the cam device I6 is maintained in the position shownl in Fig. 1 during this movement by cooperation of the end of the lever I 'I with the slot I8. How-- ever, at the completion of the castrating operation one end of the cam device I6 moves into a recess or enlargement 28 formed in one of the arms or elements II and due to the action. of the springs I9 the cam device is turned and the arms or elements II moved into the position shown in Fig. 2, thereby openingA the enclosure I5 and permitting the tool to. be removed. It will be understood that at the time the cam device I6 enters the recess or enlargement I`9'the end of the lever I'I also comes opposite a recess in the wall of the slot I8v which permits the lever to move to the position'shown in Fig. 2.

In the'use of a tool as described, assuming its parts to be in the position shown in; Fig. 2', the ends of the handles 8 are rst moved away from one another thereby causing the pin 9 to move downwardly in the slots I0 and the pivotal con-V nections 1 to move inwardly or towards one another with the result that-the elements 5 are rotated on their pivots 6 in opposite directions and due to their operative connection with the jaws I the latter are moved away from one another to the positions shown for example in Figs. 5 1 and 5.

The lever I'I is then moved to rotate the cam device I5 clockwise and its end is engaged in the slot I 8. This has the effect of rotating the arms o-r elements II in opposite directions to form the enclosure I5 and retain the spermatic cord in the region of action of the jaws. At this stage the parts of the tool occupy the positions shown in Fig. 1.

The ends of the handles 8 are then moved 15 inwardly or towards one another thereby causing the pin 9 to move in the reverse direction in the slots I0 and each of the elements 5 to be rotated on its pivot 6 in a direction opposite to that in which it was rotated during outward movement 20 of the ends of the handles, with the result that the jaws are closed and the spermatic cord squeezed or pressed between their operating edges.

At thecompletion of the operation the cam 25 device I6` is adapted to move into thel recess or enlarged portion 20 and the arms or elements II are rocked in opposite directions by the springs I Stofopen the enclosure I5 and permit withdrawal of the tool, the necessary anticlockwise movement of the lever I'l being permitted due to the beforementioned recess in the wall of the slot The eiect of guiding the ends of the pin 9 in the slots I!) is to distribute more evenly the pressure derived from the handles 8 on the elements 5 and consequently on the jaws I.

While the hereinbefore described form of operative engagement between the jaws I and elements 5 has been found satisfactory in practice 40 any other suitable form may be employed for example in the modied form of tool shown in Fig.

6 each jaw is formed or provided at its base with a toothed rack 2| and each element 5 is formed or provided with a toothed segment 22 adapted 45 to cooperate with the respective toothed rack 2|. Alternatively in Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive a cam and slot form of operative engagement is employed, Figs. 7 and 8 showing a cam element 23 formed integrally with a rotatable element 5 and cooperating with a suitable slot 24 formed in the base of the jaw and Figs. 9 and 10 showing a slightly modied construction in which substantially a'spherical member 25 adapted to cooperate with a similarly shaped recess 26 in the base of the jaw has a pin or shank 21 which engages in a slot 28 in the element 5. In Figs. 7 and 8 the arrows show the direction of rotation of the cam necessary to closeV and open the jaw respectively. 60 As. will be appreciated where a cam and slotform of operative engagement is employed, instead of the cam being associated with the element 5. and the. slot with the jaw, the cam. may be associated with the jaw and the slot with the element 5.

In the continual use of a tool as described it is found that after a time wear develops between the jaws and rotatable elements and means may be provided to enable such wear to be taken up readily. For this purpose in a tool having a form of operative engagement between each jaw and itsY cooperating rotatable element as shown in Figs. l-5 each element 5 may be provided with an Vadjusting screw 29 which is operable by' a key or the like from the side of the tool as shown in 75- Figs. 11 and 12 whereby backlash may be prevented and the parts maintained in such relation that movement of the appropriate handle 8 results at once in corresponding movement of the associated jaw l.

As the tool so far described is intended primarily for castration purposes the jaws are shown as having blunt or rounded crushing edges but when the tool is used for other purposes other types of jaws may be used or substituted for those shown. For example for cutting purposes jaws having more or less sharp cutting edges are used. Moreover if desired the edges of the jaws may be detachable thereby enabling the tool to be adapted for a particular use merely by equipping the jaws with appropriate edges. As will be understood the jaws may be straight curved or angular according to the purpose for which the tool is to be used and instead of both jaws being movable one may be stationary and the other movable.

Owing to the improved construction of the tool it is found that `it is possible to obtain great power at the jaws and due to the jaws and the operating means of a tool as shown all lying in substantially the same plane such a tool is found to be of special use for castration purposes as it enables easy access to be had to the spermatic cord from practically any angle.

What we claim is:-

1. A hand tool comprising` in combination, a pair of side plates, a pair of jaws at least one of which is bodily slidable towards and away from the other mounted between said side plates, a handle for operating each slidable jaw pivoted about a pin constrained by the side plates to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool, a rotatable element associated with each slidable jaw and operatively engaged therewith, and pivot means connecting each said element to an apppropriate handle at a distance from said pin.

2. A hand tool as claimed in claim 1 in which said pin is constrained to move in the direction -of the longitudinal axis of the tool by engagement of its opposite ends in slots in said side plates.

3. A hand tool comprising in combination, a pair of side plates, a pair of jaws mounted for parallel sliding movement towards and away from one another between said side plates, a pair of handles, a pair of elements each rotatably mounted between said side plates and each oper-'- atively engaged with a respective one of said jaws, pivot means connecting each said element to a respective one of said handles, and a common pivot pin, constrained to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool, connecting said handles and adapted to lie to one side of a plane passing through said pivot means when said jaws are just engaged so that further movement of said pin towards said plane will cause considerable pressure at said jaws.

4. A hand tool as claimed in claim 3 in which said pin is constrained to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool by engagement of its opposite ends in slots in the side plates.

5. A castrating tool comprising in combination, a pair of side plates, a pair of jaws at least one of which is bodily slidable towards and away from the other mounted between said side plates, a handle for operating each movable jaw pivoted about a pin constrained to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of\ the tool, an element rotatably carried by said side plates associated with each slidable jaw and operatively engaged therewith, pivot means connecting each said element to the appropriate handle at a distance from said pin, and means the operation of which is governed by the position of said pin for positively retaining the spermatic cord in operative relation to the jaws during the castrating operation.

6. A castrating tool as claimed in claim 5 in whichsaid last mentioned means automatically release the spermatic cord and permit withdrawal of the tool upon completion of the castrating operation.

7. A castrating tool comprising in combination, a. pair of side plates, a pair of jaws mounted for parallel sliding movement towards and away from one another between said side plates, a pair of handles, a pair of elements each rotatably mounted between said side plates and each operatively engaged with a respective one of said jaws, pivot means connecting each said element to a respective handle, a common pivot pin,V constrained to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool, connecting said handles and adapted to lie to one side of a plane passing through said pivot means when said jaws are just in engagement, so that further movement of said pin towards said plane will cause considerable pressure at said jaws, and means the operation of which is governed by the position of said pin for positively retaining the spermatic cord in operative relation to the jaws during the castrating operation.

8.A castrating tool as claimed in claim 7 in which said last mentioned means automatically release the spermatic cord and permit withdrawal of the tool upon completion of the castrating operation.

9. A castrating tool comprising in combination, a pair of side plates, a pair of jaws at least one of which is bodily slidable towards and away from the other mounted between said side plates, a handle for operating said slidable jaw pivoted about a pin constrained to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool, an element associated with each slidable jaw rotatably mounted between said side plates and operatively engaged with said jaw, pivot means connecting each said element to the appropriate handle at a distance from said pin, a pair of arms pivoted about a second common pin and extending on one side of said common axis adjacent said jaw and on the other side of said common axis adjacent said jaw operating means, and a cam device carried by said rst pin and cooperating with said arms in such a manner that during closing of the jaws the spermatic cord is retained by said arms i in the region of action of said jaws.

10. A castrating tool comprising in combination, a pair of side plates, a pair oi jaws mounted for parallel sliding movement towards and away from one another between said side plates, a pair of handles, a pair of elements each rotatably mounted between said side plates and each operatively engaged with a respective jaw, pivot means connecting each said element to a respective handle, a common pivot pin, constrained to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool, connecting said handles and adapted to lie at one side of a plane passing through said pivot means when said jaws are just in engagement, so that further movement of said pin towards said plane will cause considerable pressure at said jaws, a pair of arms pivoted about a second common pin and extending on one side of said second common pin adjacent said jaws and on the otherside of said second common pin adjacent the .jaw operating means, and a cam device carried Aby the rst mentioned common pin and cooperating with said arms in such a manner that during closing of the jaws -the spermatic cord is retained by thearms in the region of action of said jaws.

l1. A castrating tool comprising in combination, a pair of side plates, a pair of jaws at least one of which is bodily slidable towards and away from the other mounted between said side plates, a handle for operating each slidable jaw pivoted about a pin constrained by the side plates to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool, a rotatable element associated with each slidable jaw and operatively engaged therewith, pivot means connecting each said element to the appropriate handle at a distance from said pin, and means for positively retaining the spermatic cord in operative relation to the jaws during the castrating operation.

12. A castrating tool comprising in combination, a pair of side plates, a pair of jaws mounted for parallel sliding movement towards and away from one another between said side plates, a pair of handles, a pair of elements each rotatably mounted between said side plates and each operatively engaged with a respective one of said jaws, pivot means connecting each said element to a respective one of said handles, a common pivot pin, constrained to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool, connecting said handles and adapted to lie at one side of a plane passing through said pivot means when said jaws are just in engagement so that further movement of said pin towards said plane will cause considerable pressure at said jaws, and means for positively retaining the spermatic cord in operative relation to the jaws during the castrating 20 operation.

ARTHUR JOHN MUTER. CHARLES TYDEMAN. 

